Science Education (MS)

The degree of Master of Science in Science Education aims to fill the need to provide advanced preparation for certified science teachers. Changes in societal demands brought about by advances in science and technology, as well as socio-cultural changes in the high school clientele make the continual re-tooling of science teachers an absolute necessity. Through a curriculum which combines rigorous science content knowledge with advanced research-based pedagogy, the program seeks to produce a highly competent cadre of science teachers, who have the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to realize a high level of achievement in science in high school students. This program will produce teachers who have a sound knowledge of the discipline, are skilled in facilitating learning, have the competence to assess students' needs in science, and to modify their own instructional practices to meet those needs.

ObjectivesUpon completion of these programs certified teachers will have acquired the competence and attitudes to:

· Draw on insights from cognitive psychology, the nature and philosophy of science, and on a sound level of subject matter competence, in order to design learning experiences that result in meaningful acquisition of science concepts by high school students

· Use technology to enhance student learning in science

· Create classroom learning environments that are stimulating and intellectually and emotionally safe for diverse student populations of both genders

· Model an enthusiastic engagement with science and motivate students to excellence in these subjects

• Reflect on their own practices and seek to be responsive to changing student needs in a demanding society.

Special Admission Criteria

To be eligible for admission to the program, applicants must have completed a Bachelor's Degree in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or other science discipline.Applicants must be certified in the teaching of science at the middle or high school level.

General Degree Requirements

· To be eligible for award of the Master of Science in Science Education, a student must have completed 36 credit hours, inclusive of course work, a school-based Practicum and a Master's Degree Project (Option A).

· A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained throughout the program.

· Students holding part-time registration will be allowed to take a maximum of 8 credit hours of course work per semester.

• The Master's Degree Project must be completed under the guidance of the student's academic supervisor. The student must then pass an oral defense of the project.

• Students who select Option B will be assigned a thesis supervisor and a committee who will supervise the research and preparation of the thesis.

Program of Study

Foundations of Education (3 credit hours are required in this component).